Stain-resistant article and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A polyamide molding composition for the production of a stain-resistant article, the staining tendency (ST) of the article being at most 15. The composition contains 30-100% by weight of a polyamide mixture, consisting of more than 50 and up to 98% by weight of at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising 2 to up to 50% by weight of amorphous and/or microcrystalline polyamides having a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C., based on: 20-100 mol % of at least one cycloaliphatic diamine; and 0-80 mol % of at least one other aliphatic and/or aromatic diamine; and also aromatic and/or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids comprising at least 6 carbon atoms. In addition, the composition comprises inorganic white pigments, fibrous or particulate additives, impact toughness modifier and/or polymers different from (A), 0-25% by weight of a flame retardant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the use of moulding compositions forarticles, in particular casings or casing parts for electronicallyportable devices, which have a low staining tendency.

PRIOR ART

In particular in conjunction with the production of casings for mobiletelephones, portable computers, etc. for example, there is the problemthat certain materials normally used for this purpose are soiled orstained when they come into contact with substances, which, with use asintended, may easily come into contact with such casings, in such a waythat this staining can no longer be removed sustainably. This is asevere disadvantage, which is already known in principle in conjunctionwith polyamide from quite different applications, for example from theproduction of carpets or the like. In this regard, it has already beenproposed accordingly to apply a coating to the polyamide used as a basematerial, said coating reducing the susceptibility for dirt pick-up.Such additional coatings or dips are not a sustainable solution however,since they normally do not remain on the surface for a relatively longperiod of time if the surface is mechanically loaded or comes intocontact with water, sweat and/or solvents.

US2004/046279 describes the production of polyamide-based fibres withhigh soiling resistance, wherein a semi-aromatic polyamide can also beused inter alia as a base. Here, the polyamide is reacted during theproduction process with a special reagent, specifically a terpolymer,optionally in combination with a semi-crystalline thermoplasticpolyester or a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyamide, in order toincrease the resistance.

WO2012/049252A2 describes stain-resistant articles based onsemi-aromatic, semi-crystalline, non-transparent polyamide mouldingcompositions having a high melting point, which contain terephthalicacid and an aliphatic diamine comprising at least 8 C atoms, for examplesystems of the 9T or 10T type. In addition, these moulding compositionsnecessarily contain a reinforcing agent and a white pigment. Thearticles are to have a whiteness (L*, brightness) of at least 70 in theCIE colour space, measured in accordance with ASTM E308-08. Inter alia,it has been found that the white-pigmented and glass-fibre-reinforcedsemi-aromatic polyamide moulding compositions based on 9T and 10T pickup the colour of the blusher used as a test to a lesser extent than thepolyamides PA 66, PA 1010 or PA 6T/66.

WO2012/049255A1 likewise describes articles, in particular casings forportable electronic devices, produced from semi-aromatic,semi-crystalline, non-transparent polyamides with a high melting point,which are to have high stain resistance. The polyamides are based on thefollowing monomers: terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and aliphaticdiamines comprising 6 carbon atoms. The moulding compositions likewisecontain a reinforcing agent and a white pigment. In this case too, awhiteness of at least 70 is required. In the examples, it is shown thatthe moulding composition based on the semi-crystalline, semi-aromaticpolyamide PA 6T/6I has a lower staining tendency compared to thesemi-crystalline polyamide moulding compositions based on PA 66 and PA6T/66.

EP 0 885 930 discloses transparent polyamide-mixtures based on twoamorphous polyamides. In the examples systems of the type of polyamide12/MACMI in a mixture with polyamide 12/6T/6I are given. There are noindications about particular stain resistance.

EP 0 628 602 discloses transparent polyamide-mixtures, which are basedon a partially crystalline and an amorphous polyamide. As partiallycrystalline polyamides in such a mixture exclusively aliphaticpolyamides are worked. There are no indications about a particular stainresistance in this document.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is accordingly, inter alia, toprovide articles, in particular casings or casing parts for portableelectronic devices, having improved stain resistance. In addition, thesearticles have good mechanical properties, in particular high rigidity,high strength, good impact toughness, and high dimensional stability,and in particular also good surface properties, in addition they havegood processing properties, in particular such as low moulding shrinkageand low warping. The underlying polyamide moulding compositions(compounds) are characterised in addition to the unexpectedly lowstaining tendency by low water absorption, sufficient thermal stability,good chemical resistance and good mechanical properties.

The stain resistance is achieved by producing the articles, that is tosay such casings or casing parts, from moulding compositions containinga mixture of semi-aromatic polyamides (A1) with polyamides based oncycloaliphatic diamines (A2). The articles (moulded parts, componentparts) formed from the moulding composition according to the invention(mixtures A1 with A2) have a staining tendency (ST) that is reduced byat least 20%, preferably a staining tendency (ST) that is reduced by atleast 30%, and particularly preferably a staining tendency (ST) that isreduced by at least 40% compared to moulding compositions based on A1(without A2), that is to say merely on the basis of the semi-aromaticpolyamides A1.

Within the context of the invention, stain resistance means that thearticles or casings in contact with dyestuffs used in daily life, suchas makeup (lipstick, lipgloss, blusher) or natural and syntheticcolorants, for example in soft drinks, ketchup, red wine, mustard, ordyes and pigments in clothing or leather, experience no lasting colourchanges or only very slight lasting colour changes.

This object is achieved by the use according to Claim 1, in particularby the use of such moulding compositions for the production ofstain-resistant components or casings for portable electronic devices.

Specifically, the present invention relates to stain-resistant articlesbased on a polyamide moulding composition and to the use of suchmoulding compositions for this purpose, wherein the moulding compositioncontains or consists of:

(A) 30-100% by weight of a polyamide or a polyamide mixture, consistingof:

-   -   (A1) 50-98% by weight of at least one semi-aromatic polyamide;    -   (A2) 2-50% by weight of at least one amorphous and/or        microcrystalline polyamide, different from (A1), having a glass        transition temperature of at least 100° C., based on:        -   (a1) 20-100 mol % of at least one cycloaliphatic diamine;            and 0-80 mol % of at least one other aliphatic and/or            aromatic diamine (wherein the mol % within the component            (a1) together form 100 mol % of diamines); and        -   (a2) aromatic and/or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids comprising            at least 6 carbon atoms,        -   with the provision that up to 45 mol % of the totality of            monomers of components (a1) and (a2) can be replaced by            lactams comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms or amino carboxylic            acids comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms; wherein, within (A),            the proportions of (A1) and (A2) together form 100% by            weight of (A),

(X) 0.01-20% by weight, preferably 0.5-10% by weight, particularlypreferably 2-7% by weight of one or several inorganic white pigments;

(B) 0-70% by weight of fibrous additives (B1), in particular glassfibres, and/or particulate additives (B2) with the exception ofinorganic white pigments;

(C) 0-30% by weight of an impact toughness modifier and/or polymersdifferent from (A)

(D) 0-25% by weight of a flame retardant, wherein this is preferablyhalogen-free,

(E) 0-3% by weight of additives;

wherein the sum of the constituents (A)-(E) makes up 100% by weight.

As component (X) therefore inorganic white pigments are used. Preferablycomponent (X) consists of the inorganic white pigments selected from thegroup consisting of: barium sulphate, zinc oxide, zinc sulphide,lithopone and titanium dioxide (Rutile, Anatase), as well astitanium-zinc-mixed oxides, or mixtures thereof.

The white pigments of component (X) preferably have an average particlesize (D50) in the range of 0.1-40 μm, preferably in the range of 0.1-20μm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.1-10 μm. The proportion ofthe fibrous fillers (B1) to the inorganic white pigments (X) can be inthe range of 30:1 to 1:5, in the range of 10:1 to 1:10, in the range of5:1 to 1:5 or in the range of 15:1 to 1:2.

Here, the use is intended for the production of a stain-resistantarticle, the staining tendency (ST) of the article preferably being atmost 15, particularly preferably at most 10. The component (A) thereforeconsists of a mixture of one or more semi-aromatic polyamides (A1) withamorphous or microcrystalline polyamides (A2), wherein the component(A2) in this mixture preferably makes less than 50% by weight,preferably at most 45% by weight, and particularly preferably at most40% by weight, based on the polyamide mixture A. Component A2 is thuspreferably used in the range of 5-45, particularly preferably in therange of 10-40% by weight, in each case based on component A.

Here, the proportion of component (A) preferably lies in the range of30-90% by weight, preferably in the range of 30-80% by weight.

The proportion of component (B) preferably lies in the range of 10-65%by weight, preferably in the range of 20-60% by weight.

The proportion of component (C) preferably lies in the range of 1-25% byweight, preferably in the range of 2-15% by weight.

The proportion of component (D) preferably lies in the range of 5-25% byweight, preferably in the range of 5-20% by weight.

The proportion of component (E) preferably lies in the range of 0.1-2%by weight, preferably in the range of 0.2-1.5% by weight.

Articles, moulded bodies or moulded parts according to the inventionhave a low staining tendency (ST). In other words, the E value (colourlocation) determined in the CIELAB colour space in accordance with ENISO 11664-4 is only slightly changed by the staining test describedbelow. More specifically, this means that the ΔE value established inthe staining test described below is at most 15, preferably at most 11,particularly preferably at most 8. At the same time, the articles have abrightness L*, both before and after staining, of preferably >80,preferably >90, particularly preferably >95. Alternatively oradditionally, the value of a* or, independently thereof, the value of b*is preferably <10, preferably <5, particularly preferably <3, mostpreferably in the region of 0 in each case. For the components, L*values of >96 are particularly preferred.

The CIE L*, a*, and b* values were determined using a spectrophotometerby Datacolor (apparatus name: Datacolor 650) under the followingmeasurement conditions against a contrast sheet paintedwhite—measurement mode: reflection; measurement geometry: D/8°; lighttype: D6510; gloss: locked in; calibration: UV-calibrated; measuringdiaphragm: SAV (small area view, 9 mm illuminated, 5 mm measured). Withuse of the L*, a*, and b* values of reference and sample correspondingto the CIELAB system (EN ISO 11664-4, to 2011 DIN 6174), the colourbrightness difference ΔL* is calculated as follows:ΔL*=L* _(sample) −L* _(reference)

The colour difference ΔE between the colour locations(L*a*b*)_(reference) and (L*a*b*)_(sample) is calculated in accordancewith ISO 12647 and ISO 13655 as a Euclidean difference as follows:

${\Delta\; E} = \sqrt{\left( {L_{sample}^{*} - L_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2} + \left( {a_{sample}^{*} - a_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2} + \left( {b_{sample}^{*} - b_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2}}$

The staining tendency of the moulded parts is tested by means of thefollowing staining media:

-   -   lipgloss: Maybelline Colour Sensational Cream Gloss Fabulous        Pink 137 (Maybelline N.Y., Jade Düsseldorf, Gemey-Paris, 16        Place Vendome, 75001 Paris) or    -   mustard: Thomy scharfer (hot) mustard (Nestle Suisse AG, 1800        Vevey, Switzerland)

These media were selected from a large group of tested agents becausethey cause the greatest colour changes on the moulded parts producedfrom polyamide and therefore provide the best distinction with regard tothe staining tendency. For example, olive oil, sun cream or conventionalketchup only cause very slight colour changes on the test specimens,which makes it difficult or impossible to distinguish between thepolyamide moulding compositions used.

During the staining test, the staining media are applied in a saturatedmanner to the surface of the test specimens (dimension: 2×40×50 mm)using a cotton pad. The test specimens thus prepared and the untreatedreference test specimens are then subjected to storage over 72 hours ina climatic cabinet at 65° C. and a relative humidity of 90%. Afterstorage, the test specimens are brought to 23° C. and the surface of thetest specimens is then cleaned under flowing, lukewarm water with asponge provided with aqueous soap solution until the sample surface isfree from adhering residues of the staining medium. The reference colourplates without staining medium are also subjected to the cleaning step.Once the reference and test plates have been cleaned, the L*, a* and b*values are determined as described above, and the ΔL* and ΔE values arecalculated.

The staining tendency (ST) in the described staining test is given fromthe mean value of the ΔE value of both staining media:ST=(ΔE _(mustard) +ΔE _(lipgloss))/2

Articles (moulded parts, component parts) formed from the mouldingcomposition according to the invention on the basis of mixtures A1 withA2 preferably have a staining tendency (ST) that is reduced by at least20%, preferably a staining tendency (ST) that is reduced by at least30%, and particularly preferably a staining tendency (ST) that isreduced by at least 40% compared to moulding compositions basedexclusively on A1 (without A2), that is to say on the semi-aromaticpolyamides and/or have a reduced ΔL value (mean ΔLvalue=(ΔL_(mustard)+ΔL_(lipgloss))/2). Here, the staining tendency (ST)of a stain-resistant article according to the invention is preferably atmost 15 or 12, particularly preferably at most 10. The mean ΔL value ispreferably below 2.0 or 1.3, and is particularly preferably below 1.0.

The present invention preferably relates to an article or moulded bodyor moulded parts, which consist at least in part of polyamide mouldingcompositions of this type, produced with use of a polyamide mouldingcomposition as specified above and also further below, particularlypreferably in the form of or as part of an electrical or electroniccomponent, a casing or a casing component part.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes articles, inparticular casings or casing parts, for portable electronic deviceshaving improved stain resistance. The term “portable” means that theelectronic devices are designed such that they can be comfortablytransported and used at various locations. For example, the portableelectronic devices are mobile telephones, Smartphones, organisers,laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, radios, cameras,watches, calculators, music or video players, navigation devices, GPSdevices, electronic picture frames, external hard drives and otherelectronic storage media, etc. The term casing or casing part isintended to mean the entire spectrum of casing parts, such as the cover,cover plate, cover hood or lid, frame or supporting casing parts, suchas the backbone, in particular the back cover, front cover, antennacasing, frame, backbone of a mobile telephone, Smartphone or computer,wherein a backbone is to be understood to mean a structural component onwhich further electronic components are assembled, such as a batteryterminal, antenna, screen, connectors, processors, keypads, keyboardsand other electronic components. Here, the backbone may constitute aninner component or a structure partly visible from the outside. Thecasing parts used as a cover have the function inter alia of protectinginner components and the electronic components against soiling,influences of force (for example impact caused by dropping) or damagecaused by environmental influences, such as dust, liquids, radiation orgases. In addition, the casings or casing parts may also act as astructural component and may thus lend strength to the device. With useas intended, the use is preferably directed to components or regionsthereof that are arranged directly at the surface, without a furtherlayer arranged thereabove, and that are therefore exposed to soiling.Uses as coatings of casing parts are thus also considered.

In a preferred embodiment, the term casing is to be understood to mean acasing of a mobile telephone or Smartphones, in particular a back cover,front cover, antenna casing, frame, or backbone of a mobile telephone.Here, the casing may consist of one or more parts. The articlesaccording to the invention, in particular the casings for portableelectronic devices, can be produced by various thermoplastic processingprocesses, in particular by injection moulding or extrusion, from theproposed moulding compositions.

The articles are preferably an object moulded in the injection mouldingor extrusion process or a coated object.

In a broader sense however, the invention also comprises articles ormoulded parts, in particular casings or casing parts, of domesticdevices and domestic machines, devices and appliances fortelecommunication and consumer electronics, inner and outer parts in theautomotive sector and in the field of other transport means, inner andouter parts, preferably with a supporting or mechanical function in thefield of electrical engineering, furniture, sport, mechanicalengineering, sanitation and hygiene, medicine, power engineering anddrive technology. In addition, the invention also comprises yarns,fibres, bi-component fibres, staple fibres (preferably crimped and/ortextured and/or cut to a length of 30-140 mm), filaments andmonofilaments, produced from the moulding compositions according to theinvention by means of known spinning methods (melt spinning, wetspinning). In particular, flame-retardant yarns, fibres, staple fibres,bi-component fibres, filaments or monofilaments are preferably includedhere for the production of textile fabrics, such as seat covers,carpets, curtains or net curtains, for use in public buildings and inrestaurants or in mobile transport means, in particular in aircraft,trains and motor vehicles.

The component (A) of the moulding composition contains 50 to 98% byweight of at least one semi-aromatic polyamide (A1) and 2 to 50% byweight of at least one polyamide based on cycloaliphatic diamines (A2).

The component (A1) contains or consists of semi-aromatic polyamides, inparticular based on aromatic dicarboxylic acids, in particularterephthalic acid, and aliphatic diamines. The semi-aromatic polyamidesmay have an amorphous or semi-crystalline morphology in this case. Thesemi-crystalline, semi-aromatic polyamides are preferably used. Thesemi-crystalline polyamides of component (A1) have a melting point of atleast 250° C., preferably of at least 260° C., and particularlypreferably of at least 270° C. The melting point preferably lies in therange from 250 to 330° C., in particular in the range from 260 to 320°C. The enthalpy of fusion is at least 30 J/g, preferably at least 35 J/gand particularly preferably at least 40 J/g.

The proportion of terephthalic acid in the total amount of dicarboxylicacids of component (A1) preferably lies in the range from 50 to 100 mol%, preferably in the range from 60 to 95 mol %, and particularlypreferably in the range from 65 to 90 mol %.

For example, the following monomers can be considered as diamines forcomponent (A1): 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine,2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,5-pentanediamine,1,6-hexanediamine, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine,2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine, 1,8-octanediamine,2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine,1,11-undecanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,13-tridecanediamine,1,14-tetradecanediamine, m-xylylenediamine and p-xylylenediamine,wherein 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine and 1,12-dodecanediamineare preferred. Besides terephthalic acid, the polyamides (A1) maypreferably also contain the following dicarboxylic acids: adipic acid,suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecane diacid, dodecanediacid, tridecane diacid, tetradecane diacid, pentadecane diacid,hexadecane diacid, heptadecane diacid, octadecane diacid, C36-dimerfatty acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, cis- and/ortrans-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and/or cis- and/ortrans-cyolohexane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (CHDA) and mixtures thereof.Adipic acid, isophthalic acid, sebacic acid and dodecane diacid arepreferred.

Furthermore, the polyamides (A1) may also contain lactams or aminocarboxylic acids, in particular α,ω-amino acids or lactams comprising 6to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the following selection is mentioned by wayof example: m-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, caprolactam (CL),α,ω-aminocaproic acid, α,ω-aminoheptanoic acid, α,ω-aminoctanoic acid,α,ω-aminononanoic acid, α,ω-aminodecanoic acid, α,ω-aminoundecanoic acid(AUA), laurolactam (LL) and α,ω-aminododecanoic acid (ADA). Caprolactam,α,ω-aminocaproic acid, α,ω-aminoundecanoic acid, laurolactam andα,ω-aminododecanoic acid are particularly preferred.

The semi-aromatic polyamides (A1) are preferably based either onaromatic dicarboxylic acids comprising 8 to 18, preferably 8 to 14carbon atoms, or on diamines having aromatic structural units, such asPXDA and/or MXDA. Preferred aromatic dicarboxylic acids are terephthalicacid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and isophthalic acid. Preferredsemi-aromatic polyamides are based on the following polyamide systems:4T, 5T, DT, 6T, 9T, MT, 10T, 12T, 4I, 5I, DI, 6I, 9I, MI, 10I, 12I (Dstands for 2-methyl pentane diamine and M stands for 2-methyl octanediamine). These can be combined with one another as homopolyamides andalso as binary, ternary or quaternary copolyamides, provided this isallowed by the processing temperature. Furthermore, aliphatic polyamidesystems, such as 46.6, 66, 11, 12, 1212, 1010, 1012, 1210, 610, 612,614, 69 and 810 can also be combined. Preferred semi-aromatic polyamidesare: 6T/6I, 6T/10T, 6T/10T/10I, 10T/612, 11/10T, 12/10T, 10T/1010,10I/10T, 10T/1012, 9MT, 12T, 12T/1010, 12T/1012, and 12T/1212.

In the case of the polyamides (A1), the semi-crystalline copolyamides6T/6I, 10T/6T, 10T/612 and also MXD6, MXD10, MXD6/MXDI, PXD10,MXD10/PXD10 are particularly preferred.

The amorphous semi-aromatic polyamides (A1) are preferably based onstraight-chain and/or branched aliphatic diamines and aromaticdicarboxylic acids and preferably contain less than 20 mol % ofcycloaliphatic diamines and are particularly preferably free fromcycloaliphatic diamines. With regard to the amorphous semi-aromaticpolyamides (A1), the systems 6T/6I or 10T/10I or 3-6T (3-6=2,2,4- or2,4,4-trimethylhexanediamine) are particularly preferred. The 6T/6I or10T/10I systems have a proportion of less than 50 mol % of 6T or 10Tunits respectively, wherein a composition range 6T:6I or 10T/10I from20:80 to 45:55, in particular 25:75 to 40:60 is preferred. Inparticular, it is preferred if component A contains at most 20% byweight, preferably at most 10% by weight of amorphous semi-aromaticpolyamide (A1), and particularly preferably no amorphous semi-aromaticpolyamide (A1).

In a preferred embodiment, the polyamides (A1) are formed from 55 to 100mol % of terephthalic acid, 0 to 45 mol % of aliphatic dicarboxylicacids comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms, 55 to 95 mol % of linearaliphatic diamines comprising 9-12 C atoms, and 5 to 45 mol % ofaliphatic diamines comprising 4 to 8 C atoms. Here, the diaminescomprising 10 and 12 carbon atoms, that is to say 1,10-decanediamine and1,12-dodecanediamine, are particularly preferred. Among the diaminescomprising 4-8 C atoms, 1,6-hexanediamine is preferred. Examples of suchpreferred polyamides are: 10T/612 (80:20) and 10T/6T (85:15).

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the component (A1) isa semi-aromatic, semi-crystalline copolyamide formed from 72.0-98.3% byweight of terephthalic acid (TPS), 28.0-1.7% by weight of isophthalicacid (IPS), 51.0-80.0% by weight of 1,6-hexanediamine (HMDA) and20.0-49.0% by weight of C9-C12 diamine, wherein C9-C12 diamine ispreferably a diamine selected from the group: 1,9-nonanediamine,methyl-1,8-octanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine, 1,11-undecanediamine,1,12-dodecanediamine, or a mixture of diamines of this type, wherein1,10-decanediamine and 1,12-dodecanediamine are preferred, and1,10-decanediamine alone is particularly preferred. A polyamide systemPA 10T/10I/6T/6I is therefore preferred, wherein the aboveconcentrations apply.

With regard to a polymer mixture (A) containing the polyamide componentsA1 and A2, the following compositions are preferred:

-   -   (A1): 6T/6I, wherein the molar ratio is in the range from 60:40        to 80:20, or in particular is in the range from 65:35 to 75:25,        wherein the ratio 70:30 is particularly preferred.    -   (A1): MACM12 or MACMI/12 or TMDC12 or MACMT/MACMI/12;    -   (A1): 10T/6T, 12T/6T, 10T/11, 10T/12, 10T/1010, 10T/1012,        10T/106, 10T/126, or 10T/612, wherein the molar ratio lies in        the range from 60:40 to 95:5, or in particular lies in the range        from 70:30 to 90:10.    -   (A2): MACM12 or MACMI/12 or TMDC12 or MACMT/MACMI/12.

Here, the proportion of (A1) is 50 to 98% by weight, preferably 55-90%by weight, particularly preferably 60-85% by weight, based on themixture (A).

The matrix of the polyamide moulding compositions used in accordancewith the invention is based, as has been described above, preferably onmixtures of amorphous polyamides (A2) and semi-crystalline,semi-aromatic polyamides (A1). This matrix may also preferably containimpact toughness modifiers or further polymers, different from componentA. Moulding compositions of which the matrices with respect to thepolymers consist merely of the components A1 and A2 are particularlypreferred.

The polyamides (A1) or (A2) preferably have a solution viscosityη_(rel), measured in m-cresol (0.5% by weight, 20° C.) in the range from1.4 to 3.0, preferably in the range from 1.5 to 2.7, in particular inthe range from 1.5 to 2.4.

The component (A2) preferably contains or consists of a polyamide, whichcan be formed from cycloaliphatic diamines and further aliphatic,cycloaliphatic or aromatic monomers. Specifically, component (A2)contains or consists of amorphous or microcrystalline polyamides basedon cycloaliphatic diamines, which have a glass transition temperature ofat least 100° C., preferably of at least 120 or 130° C., andparticularly preferably of at least 140 or 150° C., but preferably of nomore than 220° C. or no more than 200° C. Here, both the amorphous andthe microcrystalline polyamides are transparent in the wavelength rangevisible for the human eye, in particular provided they are not (yet)mixed with pigments. In this case, “transparent” means that mouldedparts formed from the polyamides A2 alone have a high light transmission(LT) of at least 85, preferably at least 88% and in particular of morethan 90%. The light transmission value, which is used as a measure fortransparency, is always to be understood here within the scope of thepresent application as being specified in accordance with the ASTM D1003method (light type CIE-C). Here, the light transmission was measured inthe experiments detailed below using a device with the name Haze GuardPlus by BYK Gardner (DE) on round plates 70×2 mm or plates measuring60×60×2 mm in size. The transmission value is specified for the visiblewavelength range defined in accordance with CIE-C, that is to say withbasic intensities approximately between 400 and 770 mm. The round plates70×2 mm are produced for example for this purpose using an Arburginjection moulding machine in a polished mould, wherein the cylindertemperature is between 200° C. and 340° C. and the mould temperature isbetween 20° C. and 140° C. The amorphous polyamides have no measurableheat of fusion or only very low heat of fusion (enthalpy of fusion) ofat most 4 J/g, preferably of at most 2 J/g (determined in accordancewith ISO 11357-11-2 on the granulate, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) with a heating rate of 20° C./min). The microcrystallinepolyamides according to the invention have small crystallites, which donot significantly scatter the visible light, and have a moderate heat offusion in the range of 4-25 J/g, preferably in the range of 8-22 J/g(determined in accordance with ISO 11357-11-2 on the granulate,differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with a heating rate of 20°C./min).

The concentration of the cycloaliphatic diamine contained in component(A2) is preferably at least 20 mol %, in particular at least 40 mol %and particularly preferably at least 50 or 60 mol %, based on the sum ofall diamines contained in (A2). A concentration of the cycloaliphaticdiamines in the range of 60 to 100 mol %, based on the sum of alldiamines (a1) of component (A2), is particularly preferred.

With regard to component (A2), suitable cycloaliphatic diamines arethose comprising 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such asbis-(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (MACM),bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane (PACM),bis-(4-amino-3-ethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (EACM),bis-(4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (TMDC),2,6-norbornanediamine or 2,6-bis-(aminomethyl)-norbornane or1,3-diaminocyclohexane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexanediamine,isophoronediamine, 1,3-bis-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane,1,4-bis-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane, 2,2-(4,4′-diaminodicyclohexyl)propane(PACP), or mixtures thereof. In particular, alkyl-substitutedbis-(aminocyclohexyl)methane or bis-(aminocyclohexyl)propane ispreferred. Linear and/or branched C1-C6, preferably C1-C4 alkyl groupsare preferred as alkyl substituents, therefore in particular methylgroups, ethyl groups, propyl groups, isopropyl or butyl groups, withmethyl groups being preferred in particular.Bis-(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (MACM) andbis-(4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (TMDC) are used asalkyl-substituted bis-(aminocyclohexyl)methane in a particularlypreferred embodiment. The cycloaliphatic diamines PACM, MACM and TMDCare particularly preferred.

Besides the cycloaliphatic diamines, other aliphatic and aromaticdiamines can also be used, within a limited scope, to form thepolyamides (A2), for example 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine,2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,5-pentanediamine,1,6-hexanediamine, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine,2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine, 1,8-octanediamine,2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine,1,11-undecanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,13-tridecanediamine,1,14-tetradecanediamine, m-xylylenediamine and p-xylylenediamine.Straight-chain aliphatic diamines comprising 6-10 carbon atoms, inparticular 1,6-hexanediamine, are preferred. These other diamines withinthe component (A2) do not make up more than 80 mol % of the totality ofdiamines in component (A2) however, and preferably make up no more than60 mol %, particularly preferably no more than 40 mol % of the totalityof diamines in component (A2). The component (A2) is particularlypreferably substantially free from such further other diamines that arenot cycloaliphatic. Dicarboxylic acids (a2) suitable for the polyamide(A2) are: adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid,undecane diacid, dodecane diacid, tridecane diacid, tetradecane diacid,pentadecane diacid, hexadecane diacid, heptadecane diacid, octadecanediacid, C36-dimer fatty acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid,naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, cis- and/ortrans-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and/or cis- and/ortrans-cyolohexane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (CHDA), and mixtures thereof.Aromatic dicarboxylic acids and straight-chain aliphatic dicarboxylicacids are preferred. The dicarboxylic acids terephthalic acid,isophthalic acid, sebacic acid and dodecane diacid are particularlypreferred. A polyamide (A2) in which the proportion of terephthalic acidis at most 50 mol %, based on the sum of all dicarboxylic acids ofcomponent (A2), is particularly preferred. In particular, it ispreferable if the proportion of terephthalic acid in component A1 isless than 45 mol % or if no terephthalic acid is contained in components(A2).

The polyamides (A2) may also contain lactams or amino carboxylic acids,in particular α,ω-amino acids or lactams comprising 6 to 12 carbonatoms, as further monomers, wherein the following selection is mentionedby way of example: m-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, caprolactam(CL), α,ω-aminocaproic acid, α,ω-aminoheptanoic acid, α,ω-aminoctanoicacid, α,ω-aminononanoic acid, α,ω-aminodecanoic acid,α,ω-aminoundecanoic acid (AUA), laurolactam (LL) and α,ω-aminododecanoicacid (ADA). Caprolactam, α,ω-aminocaproic acid, laurolactam,α,ω-aminoundecanoic acid and α,ω-aminododecanoic acid are particularlypreferred. The proportion of lactams or amino acids in component (A2) is0 to 45 mol %, preferably 2-40 mol % and particularly preferably 3 to 35mol %, in each case based on the sum of all monomers forming (A2),wherein the concentration of the cycloaliphatic diamine, based on thediamines (a1), is always at least 20 mol %.

Preferred polyamides (A2) based on cycloaliphatic diamines are MACM9,MACM10, MACM11, MACM12, MACM13, MACM14, MACM16, MACM18, PACM9, PACM10,PACM11, PACM12, PACM13, PACM14, PACM16, PACM18, TMDC9, TMDC10, TMDC11,TMDC12, TMDC13, TMDC14, TMDC15, TMDC16, TMDC17, TMDC18 or copolyamides,such as MACMI/12, MACMT/12, MACMI/MACMT/12, 6I/6T/MACMI/MACMT/12, 3-6T,6I/MACMI/MACMT, 6I/PACMI/PACMT, 6I/6T/MACMI, MACMI/MACM36, 12/PACMI or12/MACMT, 6/PACMT, 6/IPDT or mixtures thereof MACM9-18/PACM9-18,MACM9-18/TMDC9-18, TMDC9-18/PACM9-18, in particular MACM10/PACM10,MACM12/PACM12 and MACM14/PACM14, and mixtures thereof.

To summarise, it can be determined that the component (A) is preferablya mixture of an amorphous, semi-aromatic polyamide (A1) and/or asemi-crystalline, semi-aromatic polyamide based on cycloaliphaticdiamines (A2), wherein the polyamides of component (A2) are preferablyselected from the following group: MACM9, MACM10, MACM11, MACM12,MACM13, MACM14, MACM16, MACM18, PACM9, PACM10, PACM11, PACM12, PACM13,PACM14, PACM16, PACM18, TMDC9, TMDC10, TMDC11, TMDC12, TMDC13, TMDC14,TMDC15, TMDC16, TMDC18 or copolyamides thereof, such as MACM10/PACM10,MACM12/PACM12, MACM14/PACM14, PACM10/TMDC10, PACM12/TMDC12,PACM14/TMDC14 or copolyamides MACMI/12, MACMT/12, 6I/6T/MACMI/MACMT/12,6I/MACMI/MACMT, 6I/PACMI/PACMT, 6I/6T/MACMI, MACMI/MACM36, 12/PACMI,12/MACMT, 6/PACMT, 6/IPDT, MACM10/TMDC10, MACM12/TMDC12, and mixtures orblends thereof. MACM10, MACM12, MACM14, PACM10, PACM12, PACM14, TMDC10,TMDC12, TMDC14, MACMI/12, MACMI/MACMT/12 and 6T/6I/MACMT/MACMI/12 areparticularly preferred.

The polyamides A1 are preferably selected from the following group:6T/6I, 6T/10T, 6T/12, 11/10T, 12/10T, 10T/1010, 10/612, 10I/10T,10T/1012, 9MT, 12T, and mixtures or blends thereof.

The moulding composition preferably contains 10-65% by weight,particularly preferably 20-60% by weight of fillers and reinforcingagents (component B). It is also preferred if the ratio of the fibrousadditives (B1) to the particulate additives (B2) lies in the range from10:1 to 1:10 or in the range from 5:1 to 1:5. It is particularlypreferred if component (B) is formed exclusively by fibrous additives(B1), that is to say if no particulate fillers (B2) are present in themoulding composition.

The component (B1) is preferably selected from the group consisting of:glass fibres, carbon fibres, graphite fibres, aramid fibres, andnanotubes. The fibres of component (B1) can be present with a circularor non-circular cross-sectional area. Glass fibres are particularlypreferred.

The component (B1) is preferably a glass fibre, which is formed orconsists substantially of the components silicon dioxide, calcium oxide,magnesium oxide and aluminium oxide, and the ratio by weight ofSiO₂/(CaO+MgO) is less than 2.7, preferably less than 2.5 and inparticular between 2.1 and 2.4. The component B1 in particular is anE-glass fibre according to ASTM D578-00.

In accordance with the invention, the glass fibre (component B1) mayalso be a high-strength glass fibre, which is preferably based on theternary system silicon dioxide/aluminium oxide/magnesium oxide or on thequaternary system silicon dioxide/aluminium oxide/magnesiumoxide/calcium oxide, wherein a composition of 58-70% by weight ofsilicon dioxide (SiO₂), 15-30% by weight aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃), 5-15%by weight of magnesium oxide (MgO), 0-10% by weight of calcium oxide(CaO) and 0-2% by weight of further oxides, such as zirconium dioxide(ZrO₂), boron oxide (B₂O₃), titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or lithium oxide(Li₂O), is preferred. The high-strength glass fibre preferably has atensile strength of greater than or equal to 4000 MPa, and/or anelongation at tear of at least 5% and a tensile modulus of elasticity ofgreater than 80 GPa. Specific examples for these high-strength glassfibres of component (B1) are S-glass fibres by Owens Corning with 910 or995 sizing, T-glass fibres by Nittobo, HiPertex by 3B, HS4-glass fibresby Sinoma Jinjing Fiberglass, R-glass fibres by Vetrotex and S-1- andS-2-glass fibres by AGY.

The glass fibres of component (B1) can be provided in the form of shortfibres, preferably in the form of cut glass with a length in the rangeof 0.2-20 mm, or in the form of endless fibres. The mouldingcompositions therefore contain 0 to 70% by weight, preferably 10 to 65%by weight, and particularly preferably 20 to 60% by weight of a glassfibre (B1), which is used in the form of what are known as short fibres(for example cut glass with a length of 0.2-20 mm) or endless fibres(rovings).

The glass fibres according to the invention of component (B1) preferablyhave a circular or non-circular cross-sectional area.

Glass fibres with a circular cross section, that is to say round glassfibres, typically have a diameter in the range of 5-20 μm, preferably inthe range of 6-17 μm and particularly preferably in the range of 6-13μm. They are preferably used as short glass fibres (cut glass with alength from 0.2 to 20 mm).

In the case of flat glass fibres of component (B1), that is to say glassfibres with a non-circular cross-sectional area, these glass fibres arepreferably used with a dimensional ratio of the main cross-sectionalaxis to the secondary cross-sectional axis arranged perpendicularthereto of more than 2, preferably from 2 to 8, in particular from 2 to5. These “flat glass fibres” have an oval or elliptical cross-sectionalarea, an elliptical cross-sectional area provided with one or moreconstrictions (what are known as cocoon fibres), a polygonal orrectangular cross-sectional area, or a practically rectangularcross-sectional area. A further characterising feature of the flat glassfibres used lies in the fact that the length of the main cross-sectionalaxis preferably lies in the range from 6 to 40 μm, in particular in therange from 15 to 30 μm, and the length of the secondary cross-sectionalaxis preferably lies in the range from 3 to 20 μm, in particular in therange from 4 to 10 μm. Here, the flat glass fibres have a maximumpacking density, that is to say the cross-sectional area of the glassfibres fills a virtual rectangle, surrounding the glass fibre crosssection as exactly as possible, by at least 70%, preferably at least 80%and particularly preferably by at least 85%.

To reinforce the moulding compositions according to the invention,mixtures of glass fibres with circular and non-circular cross sectioncan also be used, wherein the proportion of flat glass fibres ispreferably predominant, that is to say makes up more than 50% by weightof the total mass of fibres.

The glass fibres according to the invention are preferably provided witha sizing suitable for the respective thermoplastics, in particular forpolyamide, for example containing a coupling agent based on anaminosilane compound or epoxysilane compound.

The high-strength glass fibres used as roving within the component (B1)in accordance with a further preferred embodiment preferably have adiameter from 8 to 20 μm, preferably from 12 to 18 μm, wherein the crosssection of the glass fibres can be round, oval, elliptical, ellipticalprovided with one or more constrictions, polygonal, rectangular orpractically rectangular. “Flat glass fibres” with a ratio of thecross-sectional axes from 2 to 5 are particularly preferred. Theseendless fibres, particularly preferably within the component (B1), areincorporated into the polyamide moulding compositions according to theinvention by known methods for production of long-fibre-reinforced rodgranulate (fibre length and granulate length are identical), inparticular by pultrusion methods, in which the endless fibre strand(roving) is fully saturated with the polymer melt and is then cooled andcut. The long-fibre-reinforced rod granulate obtained in this manner,which preferably has a granulate length from 3 to 25 mm, in particularfrom 4 to 12 mm, can be further processed by means of the conventionalprocessing methods (such as injection moulding, pressing) to formmoulded parts. Endless fibres (long glass fibres) can also be combinedwith cut fibres (short glass fibres) in order to reinforce the mouldingcompositions according to the invention.

Fillers known to a person skilled in the art in this function can beconsidered as particulate additives of the component (B2). Theseinclude, in particular, particulate fillers selected from the groupconsisting of: talc, mica, silicates, quartz, wollastonite, kaolin,silicic acids, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, chalk, groundor precipitated calcium carbonate, lime, feldspar, inorganic pigments,such as iron oxide, iron manganase oxide, metal oxides, in particularspinels, such as copper iron spinel, copper chromium oxide, zinc ironoxide, cobalt chromium oxide, cobalt aluminium oxide, magnesiumaluminium oxide, copper/chromium/manganese mixed oxides,copper/manganese/iron mixed oxides, nickel antimony titanate, chromiumantimony titanate, hard-magnetic or soft-magnetic metals or alloys orceramics, hollow-spherical silicate fillers, aluminium oxide, boronnitride, boron carbide, aluminium nitride, calcium fluoride, andmixtures thereof. The fillers may also be surface-treated.

The component (B2) and/or also the component (X) preferably has a meanparticle size (D50) in the range of 0.1-40 μm, preferably in the rangeof 0.2-20 μm, in particular in the range of 0.3-10 μm. A form of theparticulate fillers with which the aspect ratios L/b1 and L/b2 are bothat most 10, in particular at most 5, is preferred, wherein the aspectratios are described by the quotients from the greatest length L of theparticle to the average breadth b1 or b2 thereof. Here, b1 and b2, whichare arranged perpendicularly with respect to one another, lie in a planeperpendicular with respect to the length L.

Furthermore, the component (B2) preferably has an absorption coefficientdifferent from zero for UV, VIS or IR radiation, in particular for laserradiation, preferably with a wavelength in the region of 1064 nm,preferably with an absorption capacity in the visible and/or infraredradiation range with an absorption coefficient of at least 0.05,preferably at least 0.1, and particularly preferably at least 0.2.

The polyamide moulding compositions can be mixed with further polymersdifferent from component (A), in particular impact toughness modifiers,in an amount from 0 to 30% by weight.

The polymers different from (A) (component C), which may likewise beprovided in the form of a mixture with the polyamide constituent (A), ispreferably selected from the group consisting of: polycarbonate,polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrenecopolymer, acrylonitrile styrene copolymer, polyolefin,polyoxymethylene, polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate, polysulfone (in particular of the PSU, PESU,PPSU type), polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene sulphide, polyphenyleneoxide, liquid-crystalline polymers, polyether ketone, polyether etherketone, polyimide, aliphatic polyamide, polyamide imide, polyesterimide, polyether amide, polyester amide, polyether ester amide,polyurethane (in particular of the TPU, PUR type), polysiloxane,polyacrylate, polymethacrylate and mixtures or copolymers based on suchsystems.

In a preferred embodiment, the moulding compositions can be mixed withup to 30% by weight of aliphatic polyamides within the scope ofcomponent (C). The content of aliphatic polyamides relative to the totalmoulding composition is preferably at most 20, in particular at most 10%by weight, wherein the aliphatic polyamides are preferably contained inthe moulding composition in a range of 2-10% by weight. In particular,it is preferred if the moulding compositions are free from aliphaticpolyamides. Polyamide 46, polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 11,polyamide 12, polyamide 1212, polyamide 1010, polyamide 1011, polyamide1012, polyamide 1112, polyamide 1211, polyamide 610, polyamide 612,polyamide 69, polyamide 810, or mixtures, blends, or alloys thereof arepreferred as aliphatic polyamides.

In a further embodiment, the moulding composition according to theinvention contains up to 30% by weight, based on the total mouldingcomposition, of one or more impact toughness modifiers (ITMs) ascomponent (C). An ITM concentration in the range between 5 and 30% byweight, in particular of 7-25% by weight, is preferred. The impacttoughness modifier may be a natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene,polyisobutylene, a mixed polymer of butadiene and/or isoprene withstyrene or styrene derivatives and other comonomers, a hydrogenatedmixed polymer and/or a mixed polymer that is produced by grafting orcopolymerisation with acid anhydrides, (meth)acrylic acid and estersthereof. The impact toughness modifier (C) may also be a grafted rubberwith a cross-linked elastomer core, which consists of butadiene,isoprene or alkyl acrylates and has a graft sleeve formed frompolystyrene, a nonpolar or polar olefin homopolymer and copolymer, suchas ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber andethylene octene rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate rubber, or a nonpolaror polar olefin homopolymer and copolymer, which is produced by graftingor copolymerisation with acid anhydrides, (meth)acrylic acid and estersthereof. The impact toughness modifier (C) may also be acarboxylic-acid-functionalised copolymer, such aspoly(ethene-co-(meth)acrylic acid) orpoly(ethene-co-1-olefin-co-(meth)acrylic acid), wherein the 1-olefin maybe an alkene or an unsaturated (meth)acrylic acid ester with more than 4atoms, including those copolymers in which the acid groups areneutralised in part with metal ions.

Examples of the block copolymers based on styrene includestyrene(ethylene-butylene) two-block copolymers andstyrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene three-block copolymers.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the mouldingcompositions according to the invention are characterised in that thecomponent (C) contains a polyolefin homopolymer or anethylene-α-olefin-copolymer, particularly preferably an EP and/or EPDMelastomer (ethylene propylene rubber or ethylene propylene dienerubber). For example, this may be an elastomer based on anethylene-C3-12-α-olefin copolymer with 20 to 96, preferably 25 to 85% byweight of ethylene, wherein the C3-12-α-olefin is particularlypreferably an olefin selected from the group propene, 1-butene,1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene and/or 1-dodecene, and thecomponent (C) is particularly preferably ethylene propylene rubberand/or LLDPE and/or VLDPE.

Alternatively or additionally (for example in mixture), (C) may containa terpolymer based on ethylene-C3-12-α-olefin with an unconjugateddiene, wherein this preferably contains 25 to 85% by weight of ethyleneand at most approximately 10% by weight of an unconjugated diene,wherein the C3-12-α-olefin is particularly preferably an olefin selectedfrom the group propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene,1-decene and/or 1-dodecene and/or wherein the unconjugated diene ispreferably selected from the group bicyclo(2.2.1) heptadiene,hexadiene-1.4, dicyclopentadiene and/or in particular 5-ethylidenenorbornene.

In addition, ethylene acrylate copolymers or ethylene butylene acrylatecopolymers are possible constituents for the component (C).

The component (C) preferably has constituents comprising carboxylic acidgroups or carboxylic acid anhydride groups, which are introduced bythermal or radical reaction of the primary chain polymer with anunsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride, an unsaturated dicarboxylicacid or an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid mono alkyl ester in aconcentration sufficient for good bonding to the polyamide, wherein, forthis purpose, reagents selected from the following group are preferablyused: maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, maleic acid mono butyl ester,fumaric acid, aconitic acid and/or itaconic acid anhydride.

0.1 to 4.0% by weight of an unsaturated anhydride are preferably graftedonto the impact toughness component as a constituent of (C), or theunsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride or the precursor thereof isgrafted on together with a further unsaturated monomer. The graftingdegree is generally preferably in a range of 0.1-1.0%, particularlypreferably in a range of 0.3-0.7%. A mixture of an ethylene propylenecopolymer and an ethylene butylene copolymer, with a maleic acidanhydride grafting degree (MAH grafting degree) in the range of0.3-0.7%, is also a possible constituent of component (C). Theabove-specified possible systems for the component may also be used inmixtures.

The ITMs used as component (C) therefore include homopolymers orcopolymers of olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, butene-1, orcopolymers of olefins and copolymerisable monomers, such as vinylacetate, (meth)acrylic acid ester and methylhexadiene.

Examples of crystalline olefin polymers are low-density, medium-densityand high-density polyethylenes, polypropylene, polybutadiene,poly-4-methylpentene, ethylene propylene block copolymers or statisticalcopolymers, ethylene methylhexadiene copolymers, propylenemethylhexadiene copolymers, ethylene propylene butene copolymers,ethylene propylene hexene copolymers, ethylene propylene methylhexadienecopolymers, poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) (EVA), poly(ethylene ethylacrylate) (EEA), ethylene octene copolymer, ethylene butene copolymer,ethylene hexene copolymer, ethylene propylene diene terpolymers, andcombinations of the aforementioned polymers.

Examples of commercially obtainable impact toughness modifiers, whichcan be used within the scope of the constituents of component (C), are:TAFMER MC201: g-MAH (−0.6%) blend of 67% EP copolymer (20 mol %propylene)+33% EB copolymer (15 mol % butene-1)); TAFMER MH5010: g-MAH(0.6%) ethylene butylene copolymer; TAFMER MH7010: g-MAH (0.7%) ethylenebutylene copolymer; Mitsui. TAFMER MH7020: g-MAH (0.7%) EP copolymer byMitsui Chemicals; EXXELOR VA1801: g-MAH (0.7%) EP copolymer; EXXELORVA1803: g-MAH (0.5-0.9%) EP copolymer, amorph; EXXELOR VA1810: g-MAH(0.5%) EP copolymer; EXXELOR MDEX 94-1 1: g-MAH (0.7%) EPDM, ExxonMobile Chemical; FUSABOND MN493D: g-MAH (0.5%) ethylene octenecopolymer; FUSABOND A EB560D (g-MAH) ethylene n butyl acrylatecopolymer; ELVALOY, DuPont; Kraton FG1901GT: g-MAH (1.7%) SEBS with an Sto EB ratio of 30:70; Lotader AX8840: ethylene glycidyl methacrylatecopolymer.

An ionomer within the scope of component (A2) is also preferred, inwhich the polymer-bonded carboxyl groups are interconnected completelyor partially by metal ions.

Mixed polymers of butadiene with styrene, functionalised by graftingwith maleic acid anhydride, nonpolar or polar olefin homopolymers andcopolymers, which are produced by grafting with maleic acid anhydride,and carboxylic-acid-functionalised copolymers such aspoly(ethene-co-(meth)acrylic acid) orpoly(ethene-co-1-olefin-co-(meth)acrylic acid), in which the acid groupsare neutralised in part with metal ions, are particularly preferred.

In a further embodiment, the moulding compositions contain 0-25% byweight, preferably 5-25% by weight, particularly preferably 8-22% byweight of flame retardants, in particular halogen-free flame retardants,as component (D). Preferred flame retardants are phosphonates, alkylphosphonates, cyclic phosphonates and phosphinates. Here, the flameretardant preferably comprises 60-100% by weight, preferably 70-98% byweight, in particular 80-96% by weight of a straight-chain or cyclicphosphonate, phosphinic acid salt and/or diphosphinic acid salt(component (D1)) and 0-40% by weight, preferably 2-30% by weight, inparticular 4-20% by weight of a melamine polyphosphate or othersynergists and/or of a flame retardant containing nitrogen andphosphorous (component (D2)), such as melem, melam, melon, or reactionproducts of melamine with polyphosphoric acid or reaction products ofcondensation products of melamine with polyphosphoric acid. Aluminiumions, calcium ions and zinc ions are preferably used as a metal ion ofthe phosphinic acid salts or diphosphinic acid salts. Flame retardantsof this type are known from the prior art. Reference is made in thisregard to DE 103 46 3261. Preferred synergists (component D2) are:barium carboxylate, oxygenous, nitrogenous or sulphurous metalcompounds, in particular of the metals aluminium, calcium, magnesium,barium, sodium, potassium and zinc. Suitable compounds are selected fromthe group of oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, silicates, borates,phosphates, stannates and combinations or mixtures of these compounds,such as oxide hydroxides or oxide hydroxide carbonates. Examples includemagnesium oxide, calcium oxide, aluminium oxide, zinc oxide, bariumcarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, boehmite,dihydrotalcite, hydrocalumite, calcium hydroxide, tin oxide hydrate,zinc hydroxide, zinc borate, zinc sulphide, zinc phosphate, sodiumcarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, magnesium carbonate,alkaline zinc silicate, zinc stannate. Systems such as calcium stearate,zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, potassium palmitate, magnesiumbehenate are also possible. Specific examples of such flame retardantsinclude: Exolit 1230 (Clariant), Exolit 1312 (Clariant), Aflammit PLF710 (Thor). Amgard CU (Rhodia). Of course, the thermoplastic polyamidemoulding compositions according to the invention may also containconventional additives known generally to a person skilled in the art inthe form of component (E), which are preferably selected from the groupconsisting of stabilisers, anti-ageing agents, antioxidants,antiozonants, light stabilisers, UV stabilisers, UV absorbers, UVblockers, inorganic heat stabilisers, in particular based on copperhalides and alkali halides, organic heat stabilisers, conductiveadditives, carbon black, optical brighteners, processing aids,nucleation agents, crystallisation accelerators, crystallisationretarders, flow aids, lubricants, release agents, plasticisers, pigments(different from white pigments), dyestuffs, markers and mixturesthereof.

Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described hereinafter with use of specificexemplary embodiments (B) and compared with the less efficient systemsaccording to the prior art (VB). The exemplary embodiments specifiedbelow are intended to support the invention and to demonstrate thedifferences from the prior art, but are not intended to limit thegeneral subject matter of the invention, as is defined in the claims.

Examples B1 to B17 and Comparative Examples VB1 to VB8

The components specified in Tables 3 to 6 were compounded in atwin-screw extruder by Werner and Pfleiderer having a screw diameter of25 mm under predefined process parameters (see Table 1), wherein thepolyamide granulate and the additives are metered into the entry zone,whereas the glass fibre is metered into the polymer melt via a sidefeeder, 3 housing units before the die. The compositions summarised inTables 3 to 6 were removed in the form of a strand from a die with 2.5mm diameter and were granulated after water cooling. The granulate wasdried for 24 hours at 110° C. under vacuum of 30 mbar.

TABLE 1 Process parameters for compounding Parameter [unit] Temperatureprofile temperature zone 1 [° C.]  80-100 temperature zone 2 [° C.]290-310 temperature zones 3 to 10 [° C.] 320-340 temperature zone 11 [°C.] 310-330 temperature zone 12 [° C.] 310-330 temperature of the diehead [° C.] 320-340 melting point [° C.] 320-340 throughput [kg/h]  8-12screw rotational speed [rpm] 150-200

The compositions were injection moulded using an Arburg Allrounder320-210-750 injection moulding machine at defined cylinder temperaturesin zones 1 to 4 and a defined mould temperature (see Table 2) to formtest specimens.

TABLE 2 Compound and mould temperature during injection mould processingMould Compound Example temperature [° C.] temperature [° C.] B1 to B4,VB1, VB2 100 300 B5 to B17, VB3 to VB8 130 330

TABLE 3 Composition, staining tendency (ST), ΔL* and ΔE of examples B1to B4, VB1 and VB2 Unit B1 VB1 B2 B3 B4 VB2 Composition 10T/612 (80:20)% by 38.0 47.65 28.0 49.9 49.9 90.6 weight 6T/6I (70:30) % by 5.0 5.05.0 weight MACM12 % by 9.6 19.6 40.7 weight MACMT/MACMI/12 % by 40.7weight Heat stabiliser % by 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 weight Zincsulphide % by 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 weight Glass fibres A % by48 48 48 weight Staining tendency ΔL mustard −0.83 −1.1 −0.54 −0.51−0.22 −1.1 ΔL lipgloss −3.0 −4.4 −1.5 −1.4 −0.20 −4.1 (ΔL_(mustard) +ΔL_(lipgloss))/2 −1.9 −2.8 −1.0 −0.96 −0.21 −2.6 ΔE mustard 15 24 10.810.2 9.4 18 ΔE lipgloss 9.2 16 6.0 4.9 1.0 12 ST 12.1 20.0 8.4 7.6 5.215 ST reduction % 40⁽¹⁾ 58⁽¹⁾ 49⁽²⁾ 65⁽²⁾ ⁽¹⁾ST reduction compared tocomparative example VB1 ⁽²⁾ST reduction compared to comparative exampleVB2

TABLE 4 Composition, staining tendency (ST), ΔL* and ΔE of examples B5to B8, VB3 and VB4 Unit B5 B6 VB3 B7 B8 VB4 Composition 6T/6I (70:30) %by 27.6 27.6 47.6 49.9 49.9 90.6 weight MACM12 % by 20.0 40.7 weightMACMT/MACMI/12 % by 20.0 40.7 weight 6I/6T (67:33) % by 5.0 5.0 5.0weight heat stabiliser % by 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 weight zincsulphide % by 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 weight glass fibres A % by48.0 48.0 48.0 weight Staining tendency ΔL mustard −0.18 −0.27 −0.82−0.18 −0.18 −0.73 ΔL lipgloss −0.54 −1.1 −2.1 −0.43 −0.31 −1.9(ΔL_(mustard) + ΔL_(lipgloss))/2 −0.36 −0.69 −1.4 −0.31 −0.25 −1.3 ΔEmustard 4.3 6.3 9.6 3.8 1.9 7.4 ΔE lipgloss 2.0 4.6 5.2 1.5 0.7 3.2 ST3.2 5.5 7.4 2.7 1.3 5.3 ST reduction % 57⁽³⁾ 26⁽³⁾ 49⁽⁴⁾ 75⁽⁴⁾ ⁽¹⁾STreduction compared to comparative example VB3 ⁽²⁾ST reduction comparedto comparative example VB4

TABLE 5 Composition, staining tendency (ST), ΔL* and ΔE of examples B9to B13, VB5 and VB6 Unit B9 B10 VB5 B11 VB6 B12 B13 Composition6T/10T/10I (75:10:15) % by 25.0 25.0 45 49.9 49.9 49.9 49.9 weight 6T/6I(70:30) % by 2.6 2.6 2.6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 weight MACMT/MACMI/12 % by 20.040.7 weight TMDC12 % by 20.0 40.7 weight 6I/6T (67:33) % by 40.7 weightPACM12 % by 40.7 weight heat stabiliser % by 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.550.55 0.55 weight zinc sulphide % by 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85weight glass fibres A % by 48 48 48 weight Staining tendency ΔL mustard−0.24 −0.05 −1.6 −0.09 −1.2 −0.48 −0.55 ΔL lipgloss −1.4 −0.95 −4.6−0.43 −4.3 −0.56 −0.68 (ΔL_(mustard) + ΔL_(lipgloss))/2 −0.82 −0.50 −3.1−0.26 −2.8 −0.52 −0.62 ΔE mustard 7.6 4.3 11.3 3.0 16 3.1 4.2 ΔElipgloss 4.8 2.2 7.4 2.0 14 1.7 2.6 ST 6.2 3.3 9.4 2.5 15.0 2.4 3.4 STreduction % 34⁽⁵⁾ 65⁽⁵⁾ 83⁽⁶⁾ 84⁽⁶⁾ 77⁽⁶⁾ ⁽¹⁾ST reduction compared tocomparative example VB5 ⁽²⁾ST reduction compared to comparative exampleVB6

TABLE 6 Composition, staining tendency (ST), ΔL* and ΔE of the examplesB14 to B17, VB7 and VB8. Unit B14 B15 VB7 B16 B17 VB8 Composition 6T/6I(70:30) % by 27.6 27.6 47.6 49.9 49.9 90.6 weight MACM12 % by 20.0 40.7weight MACMT/MACMI/12 % by 20.0 40.7 weight 6I/6T (67:33) % by 5.0 5.05.0 weight heat stabiliser % by 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 weightTitaniumdioxide % by 4 4 4 4 4 4 weight Glass fibres B % by 48.0 48.048.0 weight Staining tendency ΔL mustard −0.22 −0.34 −1.2 −0.15 −0.16−0.74 ΔL Lipgloss −0.62 −1.4 −2.6 −0.39 −0.24 −2.0 (ΔL_(mustard) + −0.42−0.87 −1.9 −0.27 −0.20 −1.37 ΔL_(Lipgloss))/2 ΔE mustard 4.4 6.2 10.63.5 1.4 7.6 ΔE Lipgloss 2.2 4.8 7.2 1.3 0.6 3.8 ΔN 3.3 5.5 8.9 2.4 1.05.7 Reduction ST % 63⁽⁷⁾ 38⁽⁷⁾ 58⁽⁸⁾ 82⁽⁸⁾ ⁽⁷⁾Reduction of ST comparedwith comparative example VB7 ⁽⁸⁾Reduction of ST compared withcomparative example VB8 Key: 6T/6I (70:30) semi-crystalline polyamidebased on TPS, IPS and HMDA, Tm = 325° C., η_(rel) = 1.58, ΔHm = 55 J/g.6T/10T/10I semi-crystalline polyamide based on TPS, IPS, HMDA and(75:10:15) DMDA, Tm = 317° C., n_(rel) = 1.64, ΔHm = 60 J/g 10T/612(80:20) semi-crystalline polyamide based on TPS, DDDS, HMDA and DMDA, Tm= 260-270° C., η_(rel) = 1.72, ΔHm = 48 J/g MACM12 amorphous polyamidebased on MACM and DDDS, Tg = 156° C., n_(rel) = 1.82, ΔHm < 4 J/g, LT =93%. MACMT/MACMI/12 amorphous polyamide based on MACM, TPS, IPS and LL,(37:37:26) Tg = 160° C., η_(rel) = 1.70, ΔHm < 4 J/g, LT = 92%.6T161(33:67) amorphous polyamide based on TPS, IPS and HMDA, Tg = 125°C., η_(rel) = 1.54, ΔHm < 4 J/g. TMDC12 amorphous polyamide based onTMDC, DDDS, Tg = 170° C., η_(rel) = 1.75, ΔHm < 4 J/g, LT = 92%. PACM12microcrystalline polyamide based on PACM and DDDS, Tm = 251° C., Tg =140° C., η_(rel) = 1.91, ΔHm = 22 J/g, LT = 91%. glass fibre A cut glassfibres Micromax 771 consisting of E glass, with a length of 4.5 mm and adiameter of 6 μm (circular cross section) by Owens Corning Fiberglas.glass fibre B cut glass fibres CSG3PA-820 consisting of E glass, with alength of 3 mm and flat cross section of 7 × 28 μm by Nitto Boseki. zincsulphide Sachtolith HD-S (Sachtleben), mean particle size in the rangefrom 0.30 to 0.35 μm. Titanium dioxide Ti-Pure R-103 Titaniumdioxide(Rutile), DuPont, average particle size in the range of 0.22 μm.Abbreviations used: TPS = terephthalic acid, IPS = isophthalic acid,DDDS = 1,12-dodecane diacid, HMDA = 1,6-hexanediamine, DMDA =1,10-decanediamine, MACM = bis-(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane,PACM = bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane, TMDC =bis-(4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, LL = laurolactam)

The ratios specified between brackets stand for molar ratios of thesub-units, therefore for example 10T/612 (80:20) means that 80 mol % of10T units are present in addition to 20 mol % of 612 units, andMACMT/MACMI/12 (37:37:26) means that 37 mol % of MACMT units, 37 mol %of MACMI units, and 12 mol % of lactam 12 units (laurolactam) areprovided.

The measurements were taken in accordance with the following standardsand on the following test specimens.

The thermal behaviour (melting point (TM), enthalpy of fusion (ΔHm),glass transition temperature (Tg)) was determined on the basis of ISOstandard 11357-11-2 on the granulate. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) was carried out with a heating rate of 20° C./min. The temperaturefor the mid-stage or the turning point is specified for the glasstransition temperature (Tg).

The relative viscosity (η_(rel)) was measured in accordance with DIN ENISO 307 on the basis of 0.5% by weight of m-cresol solutions at 20° C.Granulate was used as a specimen.

Determination of the Staining Tendency or the Stain Resistance

The following staining media

-   -   lipgloss: Maybelline Colour Sensational Cream Gloss Fabulous        Pink 137 (Maybelline N.Y., Jade Düsseldorf, Gemey-Paris, 16        Place Vendome, 75001 Paris) or    -   mustard: Thomy scharfer (hot) mustard (Nestle Suisse AG, 1800        Vevey, Switzerland)        were applied in a planar manner using a cotton pad to test        specimens measuring 2×40×50 mm in size (colour plates) and were        stored for 72 hours in a climatic cabinet at 65° C. and a        relative humidity of 90%. After storage, the colour plates were        brought to 23° C. and then surface-cleaned under flowing,        lukewarm water using a sponge provided with aqueous soap        solution until the sample surface was free from adhering        residues of the staining medium. The reference colour plates        without staining media were likewise stored and subjected to the        cleaning step.

After cleaning, the CIE L*a*b* values of reference and test colourplates were determined using a spectrophotometer by Datacolor (apparatusname: Datacolor 650) under the following measurement conditions againsta contrast sheet painted white—measurement mode: reflection; measurementgeometry: D/8°; light type: D65 10; gloss: locked in; calibration:UV-calibrated; measuring diaphragm: SAV.

With use of the L*, a*, and b* values of reference and samplecorresponding to the CIELAB system (DIN 6174), the colour brightnessdifference ΔL* was calculated as follows:ΔL*=L* _(sample) −L* _(reference)

The colour difference ΔE between the colour locations(L*a*b*)_(reference) and (L*a*b*)_(sample) was calculated in accordancewith ISO 12647 and ISO 13655 as a Euclidean difference as follows:

${\Delta\; E} = \sqrt{\left( {L_{sample}^{*} - L_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2} + \left( {a_{sample}^{*} - a_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2} + \left( {b_{sample}^{*} - b_{reference}^{*}} \right)^{2}}$

The staining tendency (ST) in the described staining test is given fromthe mean value of the ΔE value of both staining media:ST=(ΔE _(mustard) +ΔE _(lipgloss))/2

Articles (moulded parts, component parts) formed from the mouldingcompound according to the invention (mixtures A1 with A2) preferablyhave a staining tendency ST that is reduced by at least 20%, preferablya staining tendency ST that is reduced by at least 30% and particularlypreferably a staining tendency ST that is reduced by at least 40%compared to moulding compositions based on A1 (without A2), that is tosay merely on the basis of the semi-aromatic polyamides A1.

Articles (moulded parts, components) according to the inventiongenerally have a staining tendency of class 1 or 2, that is to say theΔE value is 6 at most.

The colour plates used for the colorimetry measuring 2×40×50 mm in sizewere injection moulded from these materials on a fully electricalinjection moulding machine from Arburg (apparatus name: ARBURGAllrounder 320 A 500-170) with temperature-controlled mould. Theinjection moulding parameters can be inferred from Table 2.

Light transmission (LT, transparency) and Haze were determined inaccordance with ASTM D1003 on plates measuring 2×60×60 mm in size or onround plates 2×70 mm at a temperature of 23° C. using the Haze Gard Plusmeasuring device by Byk Gardner with the CIE light type C. The lighttransmission values are specified in % of the quantity of irradiatedlight.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of using a polyamide mouldingcomposition containing: (A) 30-99.99% by weight of a polyamide mixture,consisting of: (A1) 50-98% by weight of at least one semi-aromaticpolyamide selected from the group consisting of 10T/6T, 12T/6T, 10T/11,10T/12, 10T/1010, 10T/1012, 10T/106, 10T/126, 6T/6I, 10T/612,6T/10T/10I, 10I/10T, 9MT, 12T, 12T/1010, 12T/1012, 12T/1212, MXD6,MXD10, MXD6/MXDI, PXD10, and MXD10/PXD10; (A2) 2-50% by weight of atleast one amorphous or microcrystalline polyamide, different from (A1),having a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C., measuredaccording to ISO-Norm 11357-11-2, wherein amorphous polyamides of thepolyamide (A2) have a heat of fusion of at most 4 J/g andmicrocrystalline polyamides of the polyamide (A2) have a heat of fusionin the range of 4-25 J/g, in each case determined according to ISO 11357-11-2 on the granulate, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) witha heating rate of 20° C./min, based on: (a1) 20-100 mol % of at leastone cycloaliphatic diamine; and 0-80 mol % of at least one otheraliphatic or aromatic diamine; wherein the mol % within component (a1)supplement to 100 mol % of diamines, and (a2) at least one of aromaticor aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with at least 6 carbon atoms, with theproviso that up to 45 mol % of the sum of all monomers of components(a1) and (a2) can be replaced by lactams comprising 6 to 12 carbon atomsor amino carboxylic acids comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein theconcentration of the cycloaliphatic diamine, based on the diamines ofcomponent (a1), is always at least 20 mol %; wherein the proportions(A1) and (A2) together form 100% by weight; (X) 0.01-7% by weight of atleast one inorganic white pigment; (B) 0-70% by weight of at least oneof fibrous additive (B1) or particulate additive (B2) with the exceptionof inorganic white pigment; (C) 0-30% by weight of polymers differentfrom (A); (D) 0-25% by weight of a flame retardant; and (E) 0-3% byweight of additives selected from the group consisting of stabilisers,anti-ageing agents, antioxidants, antiozonants, light stabilisers, UVstabilisers, UV absorbers, UV blockers, inorganic heat stabilisers,organic heat stabilisers, conductive additives, carbon black, opticalbrighteners, processing aids, nucleation agents, crystallisationaccelerators, crystallisation retarders, flow aids, lubricants, releaseagents, plasticisers, pigments different from white pigments, dyestuffs,markers and mixtures thereof; wherein the sum of the constituents(A)-(E) makes up 100% by weight, for the production of a stain-resistantarticle, the staining tendency (ST) of the article being at most 15 andthe staining tendency (ST) being reduced by at least 20% compared to anarticle based exclusively on semi-aromatic polyamides (A1).
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic whitepigment of the component (X) is present in the composition in a range of0.5-7% by weight.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein thepolyamide of component (A2) has a glass transition temperature of atleast 130° C.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ΔE value(colour location) determined for both staining media in the CIELABcolour space in accordance with EN ISO 11664-4 give a staining tendencyST that is at most 15 or wherein the articles have a luminance L*of >80, both before and after the staining, wherein the value of atleast one of a* or b* is <10, the parameters L*, a*, and b* being CIEvalues.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, within (A), thecomponent (A1) is present in a proportion of at least 95% by weight. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of (a1) withinthe component (A2) is formed from 40-100 mol % of at least onecycloaliphatic diamine; and 0-60 mol % of at least one other aliphaticor aromatic diamine.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecycloaliphatic diamine (a1) of component (A2) comprises 6 to 24 carbonatoms, and is selected from the group consisting ofbis-(aminocyclohexyl)methane, bis-(aminocyclohexyl)propane,norbornanediamine, bis-(aminomethyl)-norbornane,diaminocyclohexanediamine, isophoronediamine,diaminodicyclohexylpropane, in each case in the alkyl-substituted orunsubstituted form, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the cycloaliphatic diamine within (a1) of component(A2) is selected from the group consisting ofbis-(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (MACM),bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane (PACM),bis-(4-amino-3-ethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (EACM),bis-(4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (TMDC),2,2-(4,4′-diaminodicyclohexyl)propane (PACP), and mixtures thereof. 9.The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aromatic oraliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising at least 6 carbon atoms (a2) ofcomponent (A2) is selected from the group consisting of straight-chainunbranched aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and aromatic dicarboxylicacids.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the component (A2)is free from at least one of terephthalic acid or isophthalic acid. 11.The method according to claim 1, wherein the component (A2) is selectedfrom the group consisting of MACM9, MACM10, MACM11, MACM12, MACM13,MACM14, MACM16, MACM18, PACM9, PACM10, PACM11, PACM12, PACM13, PACM14,PACM16, PACM18, TMDC9, TMDC10, TMDC11, TMDC12, TMDC13, TMDC14, TMDC15,TMDC16, TMDC17, TMDC18, mixtures thereof, and copolyamides based onthese systems.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein theproportion of component (A) lies in the range of 30-90% by weight,wherein the proportion of component (B) lies in the range of 10-65% byweight, wherein the proportion of component (C) lies in the range of1-25% by weight, wherein the proportion of component (D) lies in therange of 5-25% by weight, and wherein the proportion of component (E)lies in the range from 0.1-2% by weight.
 13. The method according toclaim 1, wherein component (A2) is selected from the group consisting ofMACM12, MACMI/12, TMDC12, MACMT/MACMI/12, and mixtures thereof.
 14. Themethod according to claim 1 for the production of a stain-resistantarticle, said stain-resistant article being selected as part of anelectrical or electronic component, as part of a casing or a casingcomponent, casings or casing parts for portable electronic devices,domestic devices, domestic machines, devices and apparatuses fortelecommunications and consumer electronics, inner and outer parts inthe automotive sector and in the field of other transport means, innerand outer parts, with or without a supporting or mechanical function inthe field of electrical engineering, furniture, sport, mechanicalengineering, sanitation and hygiene, medicine, power engineering anddrive technology, mobile telephones, Smartphones, organizers, laptopcomputers, notebook computers, tablet computers, radios, cameras,watches, calculators, music or video players, navigation devices, GPSdevices, electronic picture frames, external hard drives and otherelectronic storage media, yarns, fibres, bi-component fibres, staplefibres, crimped or textured or cut to a length of 30-140 mm, filamentsand monofilaments.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one inorganic white pigment of the component (X) is present in thecomposition in a range of 2-7% by weight.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic white pigment of thecomponent (X) is selected from the group consisting of barium sulphate,zinc oxide, zinc sulphide, lithopone and titanium dioxide in the rutileor anatase modification, or and mixtures thereof.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic white pigmenthas an average particle size (D50) in the range of 0.1-40 μm.
 18. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic whitepigment has an average particle size (D50) in the range of 0.1-10 μm.19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polyamide of component(A2) has a glass transition temperature of at least 150° C.
 20. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the polyamide of component (A2) hasa glass transition temperature of at least 130° C. and of no more than220° C.
 21. The method according to claim 1, wherein amorphouspolyamides of the polyamide (A2) have a heat of fusion of at most 2 J/g,determined in accordance with ISO 11357-11-2 on the granulate, with useof differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with a heating rate of 20°C./min.
 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein microcrystallinepolyamides of component (A2) have a heat of fusion in the range of 8-22J/g, determined in accordance with ISO 11357-11-2 on the granulate,differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with a heating rate of 20°C./min.
 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ΔE value(colour location) determined for both staining media in the CIELABcolour space in accordance with EN ISO 11664-4 give a staining tendencyST that is at most 10, or wherein the articles have a luminance L*of >95, both before and after the staining, wherein the value of atleast one of a* or b* is in the range of 0, the parameters L*, a*, andb* being CIE values.
 24. The method according to claim 1, wherein,within (A), the component (A1) lies in the range of 55-95% by weight and(A2) lies in the range of 5-45% by weight.
 25. The method according toclaim 1, wherein (A1) is present in the range of 60-90% by weight and(A2) is present in the range of 10-40% by weight.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the proportion of (a1) within thecomponent (A2) is formed from 50-100 mol % of at least onecycloaliphatic diamine; and 0-50 mol % of at least one other aliphaticor aromatic diamine.
 27. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecycloaliphatic diamine (a1) of component (A2) is selected from the groupconsisting of bis-(aminocyclohexyl)methane,bis-(aminocyclohexyl)propane, norbornanediamine,bis-(aminomethyl)-norbornane, diaminocyclohexanediamine,isophoronediamine, diaminodicyclohexylpropane, in each case in thealkyl-substituted or unsubstituted form, and mixtures thereof, whereinthe alkyl substituents are linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl groupsselected from the group consisting of methyl groups, ethyl groups,propyl groups, isopropyl groups, and butyl groups.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the cycloaliphatic diamine within (a1) ofcomponent (A2) is selected from the group consisting ofbis-(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (MACM),bis-(4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-cyclohexyl)-methane (TMDC),bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane (PACM), and mixtures thereof, whereinno more than 5 mol % of these diamines are replaced within the component(A2) by other aliphatic or aromatic diamines.
 29. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one aromatic or aliphatic dicarboxylicacid (a2) of component (A2) is selected from the group consisting ofisophthalic acid alone, a mixture of isophthalic acid and terephthalicacid, in a molar ratio from 40/60 to 60/40, 1,10-decanedicarboxylicacid, and 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid.
 30. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the component (A2) is free from at least one ofterephthalic acid or isophthalic acid, and the proportion of at leastone of lactam or amino carboxylic acid is furthermore substantiallyzero.
 31. The method according to claim 1, wherein the component (A2) isselected from the group consisting of MACMI/12, MACMT/12,MACMI/MACMT/12, 6I/6T/MACMI/MACMT/12, 6I/MACMI/MACMT, 6I/PACMI/PACMT,6I/6T/MACMI, MACMI/MACM36, 12/PACMI, 12/MACMT, 6/PACMT, 6/IPDT,MACM9-18/PACM9-18, and mixtures thereof.
 32. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the component (A) consists of a mixture of one or moreof said semi-aromatic polyamides (A1) with one or more of saidpolyamides based on cycloaliphatic diamines (A2), wherein the component(A2) in this mixture makes 30-50% by weight, based on the polyamidemixture A.
 33. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proportionof component (A) lies in the range 30-80% by weight, wherein theproportion of component (B) lies in the range of 20-60% by weight,wherein the proportion of component (C) lies in the range of 2-15% byweight, wherein the proportion of component (D) lies in the range of5-20% by weight, and wherein the proportion of component (E) lies in therange of 0.2-1.5% by weight.
 34. The method according to claim 1,wherein the component (A2) is selected from the group consisting ofMACM12, MACMI/12, TMDC12, MACMT/MACMI/12, and mixtures thereof; and (A1)is simultaneously selected as 6T/6I, wherein the molar ratio lies in therange from 65:35 to 75:25, or (A1) is simultaneously selected from thegroup consisting of 10T/6T, 12T/6T, 10T/11, 10T/12, 10T/1010, 10T/1012,10T/106, 10T/126, and 10T/612, wherein the molar ratio lies in the rangefrom 70:30 to 90:10, wherein the proportion of (A1) makes up 70-90% byweight, based on the mixture (A).
 35. The method according to claim 1,wherein the at least one inorganic white pigment of the component (X) ispresent in the composition in a proportion in the range of 2-7% byweight, wherein the at least one inorganic white pigment is selected tobe exclusively titanium dioxide with an average particle size (D50) inthe range of 0.1-10 μm.
 36. The method according to claim 1, wherein theproportion of terephthalic acid within component (A2) is at most 50 mol%, based on the sum of all dicarboxylic acids of component (A2).
 37. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein, within the proportion of (a1), theat least one other aliphatic or aromatic diamine is selected from thegroup consisting of 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine,2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,5-pentanediamine,1,6-hexanediamine, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine,2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine, 1,8-octanediamine,2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine,1,11-undecanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,13-tridecanediamine,1,14-tetradecanediamine, m-xylylenediamine, p-xylylenediamine, andmixtures thereof.
 38. The method according to claim 1, wherein, ifcomponent (A2) contains at least one of terephthalic acid or isophthalicacid within the scope of (a2), 10-40 mol of the totality of monomers incomponents (a1) and (a2) are replaced by lactams comprising 6 to 12carbon atoms or amino carboxylic acids comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms.39. The method according to claim 1, wherein, within the proportion of(a1), the at least one other aliphatic or aromatic diamine is1,6-hexanediamine.
 40. The method according to claim 1, wherein, ifcomponent (A2) contains at least one of terephthalic acid or isophthalicacid within the scope of (a2), 20-35 mol % of the totality of monomersin components (a1) and (a2) are replaced by lactams comprising 10 or 12carbon atoms or amino carboxylic acids comprising 6 to 12 carbon atomsselected to be α,ω-amino acids.
 41. The method according to claim 1,wherein the proportion of terephthalic acid within component (A2) is atmost 50 mol %, based on the sum of all dicarboxylic acids of component(A2).
 42. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proportion ofterephthalic acid in component A1 is less than 45 mol %, based on thesum of all dicarboxylic acids of component (A2).